Cape Tribulation stays on strongly to deny American Spin at Aintree
PICTURE: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)Festival double for Cape Tribulation and Jefferson
Report: Aintree, Thursday
Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 3m½f, 4yo+
PERTEMPS FINAL winner Cape Tribulation completed a big-festival double for trainer Malcolm Jefferson and Denis O'Regan with success in the Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle.
Travelling well throughout, the eight-year-old came from off the pace to challenge long-time leader American Spin two from home and stayed on stoutly to win by three-quarters of a length.
In a race run at breakneck speed thanks to front-runners Buena Vista and American Spin, few managed to get into the race with all of the market principals well out of the running turning for home.
Malcolm Jefferson (second left) celebrates his memorable double
PICTURE: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)American Spin appeared set to make all, only for the winner to come from off the pace and outstay his rival up the long straight under a strong ride from Denis O'Regan.
The success marked a great double for trainer and jockey after their recent success in the Pertemps at Cheltenham.
Jefferson, who was tasting Aintree success for the first time in a career spanning over 30 years, said after the race: "Denis [O'Regan, rider] said they went some gallop but he stays well.
"It was some performance, he's a good horse and he always has been. He's been in great fettle, he's been flying at home."
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